This German paprika chicken seasoning is a flavourful spice blend that you can prepare in advance and have to hand whenever you fancy some baked paprika chicken.
By popular demand, this reader-favorite recipe made it into my debut cookbook, German Kitchen-Classic Dishes!
This chicken drumstick recipe is on repeat in my home because my children love it and it's so easy to make. These paprika chicken drumsticks are also super versatile and go with anything.
I used to buy ready-marinated paprika chicken drumsticks from German supermarkets but found them a bit too oily - so I decided to create my dry rub that resembles their flavors. Now we often have baked chicken drumsticks for dinner.
Why make your paprika chicken seasoning?
- more economical: supermarkets usually charge a premium for ready-seasoned chicken. All the ingredients for this paprika seasoning recipe are in the pantry and very inexpensive.
- control your flavor - you control the salt levels or heat for your chicken drumsticks
- make ahead - if you like this German chicken seasoning you can just adjust the quantities in the recipe card and keep a jar in your pantry.
German Paprika Seasoning
Paprika is a popular spice in Germany and is not only used in our German Goulash or Goulash Soup. If you ever visit Germany, you will notice lots of snacks with paprika flavor.
Here are the ingredients for my paprika dry rub seasoning
- Sweet paprika powder - different from smoked paprika. It sometimes also says just paprika on the tin.
- garlic granules
- onion granules
- oregano
- parsley (I use dried parsley for my dry rub and fresh parsley to decorate the chicken before serving).
- salt & black pepper
- cayenne pepper (optional if you like a little spice)
How to use the Chicken Seasoning
There are different ways how to use paprika on chicken. You can either first brush the chicken with olive oil, or simply rub the seasoning mix into the skin. When grilling the paprika chicken, I like to use olive oil to prevent the herbs from burning, but if I bake chicken cuts in the oven with skin, I don't use oil.
- Prepare your meat. Wash the chicken, pat it dry, and spread it on a baking tray.
- Season the chicken by sprinkling and rubbing the seasoning generously over the chicken. If you want you can brush the chicken with a little olive oil, but I prefer to use the oil from the chicken skin. It still gets crispy without using additional oil.
- Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes at 200°C/390 °F. That will ensure that the skin caramelises and gets nice and crispy. You can turn it halfway through to crisp the skin from all sides.
What to serve with German Paprika Chicken?
The options are endless for these paprika-seasoned chicken drumsticks - they will go with about anything! Here are some recipes you can pair them with:
- German salads we love: German Coleslaw, Cucumber Radish Salad, Warm Potato Salad with Bacon, Beetroot Salad,
- Vegetables: Green Beans with Bacon, Sweetcorn or Spinach
- Starchy Sides: Rice, German fried potatoes, mashed potatoes, bread
Whatever you choose to pair your paprika-baked chicken with, you can be sure that you will have a tasty lunch or dinner. This baked chicken recipe is so quick and easy to make.
Storing your German Chicken Seasoning
You can premix a large quantity of this seasoning (as I do) and keep it in a jar for up to a year. Just make sure that you store it in an airtight container away from moisture.
Recipe
German Paprika Chicken Drumsticks Seasoning
Ingredients
For the Seasoning Mix
- 2 tablespoon sweet paprika powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic granules
- ½ teaspoon onion granules
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon parsley
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional if you like it a bit spicy.
Chicken
- 2 lb (1 kg) chicken drumsticks
To serve
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped, optional
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl or jar and then stir or shake until all are well blended.2 tablespoon sweet paprika powder, 1 teaspoon garlic granules, ½ teaspoon onion granules, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon parsley, 1 ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon ground pepper, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- To use, rub generously over your chicken drumsticks, breasts or tenders. If you like you can brush the chicken with olive oil first, but I tend to obmit this step, as for me the skin has enough fat.2 lb chicken drumsticks
- You can cook chicken as desired, in an oven at 200 °C/ 390°F for 30 minutes. Before serving sprinkle with fresh parsley.1 tablespoon fresh parsley
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Love this authentic German recipe?
This is one of 65 traditional dishes featured in my cookbook, German Kitchen-Classic Dishes - all tested, perfected, and handpicked by readers like you!
Leonard says
I put this seasoning on chicken cutlets and we loved it. It's now on my go-to list for seasonings.
Marita Sinden says
Yay thank you for the feedback Leonard! I am glad you enjoyed it!
Catherine says
Omg! I hate chicken drumsticks, and looked for a recipe to make for my live in resident who loves drumsticks. I bought the chicken drumsticks on sale at Costco! Found this recipe! The drums were so juicy however I cook them a bit longer than stated because I think our drumsticks are a bit larger maybe less antibiotics but they seem bigger. I just like them more tender and they were so delicious! I'm now a drumstick fan only because of this yummy, delicious recipe! 😋
Marita Sinden says
Wow! Thanks Catherine, what great feedback! I am glad you enjoyed the recipe. Best Wishes Marita
Fanica says
This is a wonderful recipe. I mixed the seasoning with vegetable oil to help spread the mixture on the chicken and help it stay on. I live in America and roast and roast my chicken no higher than 350F for 1 hour, it tends to burn and become dry. I have read that this happens when you live somewhere in high altitude places. Thank you!
Marita Sinden says
Hi Fanica, thank you so much for your feedback. I am glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Cathy Dolatowski says
Going to try this tomorrow
Marita Sinden says
Hi Cathy, please let me know if you like it.
Michele Stoddard says
I didn’t have chicken drumsticks so I used bone in skin on chicken thighs, baked at 390f for 30 minutes, then cranked the heat up to 425f for 10 more minutes. Perfectly roasted internal temp of 185f. Absolutely delicious and moist chicken. Making again tonight.
Marita Sinden says
Hi Michele! Thanks for your comment! I am so glad you like it! Its so easy and my kids love it as well.